I did not know where to go to post this, so here it is. I am a Soldier deployed in Afghanistan. I am not a contact. We have a few people who send us boxes, and i just wanted to tell anyone who is on here, who quite possibly could have sent us a box, how much your actions mean to us. You guys take time out to go shopping, stand in line at the post office, just to get us things from home. I have read all 18 pages of "You might me be am AS junkie if...."

I hope you all realize how much you are contributing to the morale of Soldiers deployed all around the world. As a pilot in Afghanistan, I know that some places are only abe to be reached by helicopter. The packages and mail you all send are sure to brighten the day of anyone who has to endure. The snacks, razors, cars, gum, baby wipes, soap, shampoo, chips, cookies, pens, paper......the list goes on, are a welcome relief to anyone who does not have regular access to those items.

 I know that some of you have sons, brothers, daughters, mom, dads deployed across the globe. I realize that the job of a military family is the hardest. The days spent waiting and wondering when or if you will talk to your loved one is something none of us will be able to comprehend.  The time you all spend carefully selecting and packing those "little bundles of home" is time well spent. I  hope that all of you understand how much we appreciate it.

I would like to turn the tables some day and send you guys some packages, however, I am not sure there is much that I could send you would actually be able to use. Maybe one day, I could meet up and buy you some lunch while sitting in an airport.

Like I said, I do not need a supporter. Your boxes are needed elsewhere. However, if you would just like to correspond with someone who appreciates everything that YOU do, my e-mail address is mark.rr.smith@gmail.com. I hope this was posted in the right place. If not, please move to the proper place.

Dear Mark -- thank you so very much for taking the time to post this.  It means so much to us to hear this -- I hope you know that.

I'm glad you found us -- it was great to talk with you this morning in Chat   I hope you can come back soon and visit with us again.

I'll say it again -- I think I speak for all of us when I say, we don't do this for thanks or recognition.  We do it because it's so important that you all know that we appreciate so much what you do -- that you know we care -- and that you know you are not forgotten.

Thank you for your service, Mark!

--Marilyn

Mark,

Thanks so much for taking the time to give us a collective pat on the shoulder.  I for one really appreciate it, and I know I am not alone.

If you should ever be flying into the Dallas/Ft Worth airport, to go on R&R or whatever, give me 24 hours notice and I'll come meet you and buy YOU lunch to thank you for what YOU do!  I live about 30-40 minutes away from DFW, depending on traffic, and it would be my great pleasure to meet you in person and thank YOU.

God bless you and all our troops.

 Mark, you've made our day. Not because any of us wants to be thanked, but because knowing what the support we all provide means is all the thanks we need!

 (And if you're ever in the Seattle area, I too would love to meet you and buy you lunch! You could travel the country and visit us all... :-) )

 Mark,

I appreciate you taking the time to post your thoughts. Who better than our service men and women need our unconditional love and support? The good feeling I get helping the military really is priceless. I wish I had the resources to do more. Thank you for your service and thanks for spreading the joy to others.  

Mark, thank you and everyone over there for your service to us!!  I don't personally know any soldier, but I love all of you.  I have sent packages to Afghanistan and wonder how long it takes them to get there.  It is really fun to go out and pick things to send!  Thank you again for all you do!  Kitty   

Hi Mark,

What a wonderful surprise your message was in my inbox this morning!  As good as getting ''free mail!"  LOL

KNOW that you and your feelow troops are most welcome for all you get.  KNOW that your service is GREATLY appreciated by many many folks!

While I know that many AS Junkies are individual people doing lots of good things, and there are many groups who have formed to all do more good things, my little project is an interesting mix of me as an individual sorting and packing boxes, but I have a small ton of folks who now donate various goodies a regular basis; a senior center, organized by my mom, to donate the sports sections of their newspapers; students who do cards and letters; etc etc... so while YOU are receiving goodies and feeling good morale as a result.... there are many on this end who are feeling MIGHTY good for their individual little pieces of this Troops Package Project.

 THANK YOU for all you do, and for taking the time to tell us your views on Any Soldier, Inc and its AS Junkies!

As others have said... if you ever come in or around Baltimore MD -- BWI Airport.... just let me know you are coming. I'll arrange to be there! YEAH

Take good care,

Anna - Baltimore MD

How thoughtful of you to send your kind remarks. I believe most of us are glad to send both necessities and frivolous items to all of the service members who are working hard making the world a better place. Thank you for all of the sacrifices you and your family are making. If you make it to the Dallas/Ft Worth airport, let both Lilly and I know...we (Lilly and I) can split the bill! Stay safe.
Carol

 Mark -  the same for us,  if you land in Sacramento or Reno, we'll meet you for lunch. 

Tom and Deni

Dear Mark,

  I won't repeat what everyone above has said, but it is all true for me, too! Just knowing that we can brighten the lives of you brave men and women is the best feeling in the world! I doubt you'll ever find yourself at an airport in northern Wisconsin, but my husband and I have a Harley and WILL TRAVEL!    Take care, be safe, and come home soon!!

Hugs from WI,

 Dear MArk

 What everyone above my post said ..and more.  We truly appreciate you taking the time to post such kind words here.   Thank you for what you are doing to keep us safe.

 HUGS Amy

It is always SO wonderful to hear from our troops.....we certainly appreciate YOU and the other soldiers for all that you do too!!!!

Hi Mark, just saw your post, been busy making arrangements for a send off for our local Nat'l Guard Unit.  It's so great that you took the time to post this.  You guys are like rock stars are to the teeny boppers to us AS Junkies and we love hearing from you.  It's good to know our packages and letters have the intended effect, most of 'my guys' are so remote and they don't really have outgoing mail nor easy access to a computer  so I rarely hear back from them, but as long as mail isn't returned I assume they get it.   Thanks for all you do, hugs and prayers from Oregon.   Anita

Your words feel like a hug...thank you....My hope has been that if my note cards or letter or package end up in the hands of a soldier who has had a bad day that it helps them to know that they are being thought of, prayed for and cared about...my hope is that they feel hugged and appreciated....thank you, thank you, thank you to you and your family for all the sacrafices you make in serving our country......"junkie hugs"!!......